Cetiosaurus | The Whale Dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic

Cetiosaurus was the first sauropod to ever be described and at first mistaken for a marine animal. The mistaken identity later led to its name which can be translated as the Whale Dinosaur. It roamed parts of modern day Western Europe during the Middle Jurassic period, around 170 to 125 million years ago. 

Through a series of different species mistakenly being assigned to it, Cetiosaurus has a storied past and taxanomical history. In this article I am exploring the world of Cetiosaurus, we’ll uncover its origins, key facts, and the environment in which it thrived in order.

Cetiosaurus Key Facts

Cetiosaurus Origins, Taxonomy and Timeline

Cetiosaurus, or ‘whale lizard’, is a fascinating creature with a name that reflects its massive size. The name is derived from the Greek words ‘keteios’, meaning ‘sea monster’ or ‘whale’, and ‘sauros’, meaning ‘lizard’. This name was bestowed upon it due to its enormous size, which is reminiscent of the colossal whales that roam our oceans today.

In terms of taxonomy, Cetiosaurus belongs to the Sauropoda group, specifically the Cetiosauridae family. Its type species is Cetiosaurus oxoniensis. There are also several subspecies, namely Cetiosaurus brevis, Cetiosaurus mogrebiensis, and Cetiosaurus philippsii.

It lived during the Middle Jurassic period, specifically from the Late Bajocian to Late Barremian epochs, some 171.6 to 125.5 million years ago.

Discovery & Fossil Evidence

The first discovery of its fossils dates back to 1825, when John Kingdon stumbled upon them in England. These fossils were later described by the English paleontologist Richard Owen in 1841, marking the official recognition of this new dinosaur in the scientific community.

At the time he described it, no other member of the Sauropoda group of dinosaurs had been found. Because of its size, and the lack of any other similar terrestrial animal, Richard Owen mistook Cetiosaurus for a marine animal.

Since that initial discovery, numerous other fossils have been found in the UK, France, Spain and Morocco. Together the finds have provided us with a wealth of information about this dinosaur. The fossils include a variety of bones and skeletal fragments, which have helped paleontologists piece together a comprehensive picture of its physical characteristics and habits.

One of the most notable specimens is the type species Cetiosaurus oxoniensis. The fossils of the type speices have provided invaluable insights into the size, shape, and structure of this dinosaur, contributing significantly to our understanding of its likely behavior and characteristics.

Cetiosaurus Size and Description

Cetiosaurus was a large dinosaur with a body shape typical of sauropods. Its long, slender neck allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights while its robust body and tail provided balance and support. The vertebrae of this dinosaur were uniquely designed to support its massive size. However, in contrast to most of the later sauropods, it lacked the large hollow spaces in its massive bones that reduce their weight without compromising their strength.

The limbs of Cetiosaurus were column-like in order to provide the necessary support for its large body. Unlike most sauropods, its forearm and upper arm were of equal length, resulting in similar length fore- and hind limbs.

Its tail, like that of many sauropods, was long and likely served as a counterbalance to its neck. While the skin is not well-known, it is generally believed to have been similar to that of other sauropods and possibly featured small, bumpy scales.

Size and Weight of Type Species

Cetiosaurus oxoniensis, is believed to have been soemwhere around 52 to 59 feet long, around 12 to 15 feet high at its shoulder and weighing around 12 US tons. This makes it one of the smaller sauropods but still a large creature by any standard.

The Dinosaur in Detail

This is a dinosaur that stands out not just for its size, but also for its unique features. One of the most distinctive aspects of this dinosaur is its vertebrae. Unlike most later sauropods, the Cetiosaurus had solid vertebrae, akin to modern day whales. 

Another notable feature is its long, slender neck. This feature allowed the dinosaur to reach vegetation at various heights, and provided it with a diverse diet and a competitive advantage in its environment. The neck of this dinosaur is a testament to its adaptability and survival instincts and demonstrates its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.

It also stands out for its robust body and tail. These features provided balance and support, enabling the dinosaur to move efficiently despite its large size. The tail, in particular, likely served as a counterbalance to its long neck, further enhancing its mobility and stability. These features highlight the remarkable design of its skeleton, showcasing its strength and resilience in the face of the challenges of its environment.

Cetiosaurus in its Natural Habitat

It lived in a time when the Earth was a very different place. The climate was warmer, the geography was vastly different, and the vegetation was lush and diverse. Found mostly in Europe and northern Africa, this dinosaur was a herbivore that on the abundant plant life of its time. Its long neck would have allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights, providing it with a diverse diet.

Like most sauropods, it moved on four legs. This mode of locomotion, coupled with its size, would have made it a lumbering presence in its environment. It was likely a slow-moving creature since its pace would be dictated by the need to support its massive weight. 

It lived in a time when the Earth was a very different place. The climate was warmer, the geography was vastly different, and the vegetation was lush and diverse. This dinosaur was an herbivore, feeding on the available plant life of its time. Its long neck would have allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights and given it a diverse diet.

It was likely a solitary creature, although it’s possible that it may have lived in small groups. Its size would have made it a challenging presence in its environment and it may have had few natural predators.

Interesting Points about Cetiosaurus

Contemporary Dinosaurs

It shared its world with a captivating ensemble of contemporaries. These fellow dinosaurs, whether African dinosaurs or European dinosaurs, were integral parts of this delicate balance of survival and competition.

Megalosaurus, a creature of formidable size, roamed the same lands. This dinosaur was larger than Cetiosaurus and could have been a potential predator—adding a layer of tension to their coexistence. Yet, with its impressive size and strength, Cetiosaurus was far from an easy prey. This dynamic might have led to a fascinating interplay in a constant game of survival where strength and strategy were key.

Iguanodon, on the other hand, was an herbivore like Cetiosaurus. They likely grazed side by side, perhaps even competing for the same lush vegetation that flourished in their shared habitat. Their coexistence paints a picture of peaceful moments punctuated by the occasional competition for resources.

Eustreptospondylus and Cryptosaurus were smaller than Cetiosaurus and add further complexity to this prehistoric landscape. The Eustreptospondylus was a carnivore that might have viewed Cetiosaurus as potential prey while Cryptosaurus, an herbivore, would have been a fellow grazer that shared the verdant environment without posing a direct threat. This intricate web of relationships became a delicate balance of coexistence and competition that underscores the dynamic nature of the Cetiosaurus’s world.

List of All Dinosaurs

We have created a list of all dinosaurs we have covered here, sorted across the seven main groups of dinosaurs. We also include information about their type of diet, (omnivore, herbivore or carnivore) and the time they lived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Article last fact checked:Joey Arboleda, 06-11-2023

Featured Image Credit: Ghedo, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons